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Disease

Select from the drop-down menu below to learn more about a disease of interest.

Procedures

Learn about the different procedures offered by Gastrointestinal Associates. Select from the below drop-down menu.

Diets

To learn about a specific diet please choose from the drop-down menu.

Medication

Medications Used for Common Gastrointestinal Conditions:

Acid Reducing Medications

These medications are mainly used for gastroesophageal reflux disease/ heartburn, and treatment/prevention of ulcers.

Antacids
Start working immediately and are inexpensive but are effective for only a short time.

Maalox

Mylanta, etc.

H-2 blockersLast much longer than antacids and are often quite effective.

cimetidine (Tagamet)

ranitidine (Zantac)

famotidine (Pepcid)

Proton Pump Inhibitors
Are the most potent of acid blockers and last the longest. Patients with esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to reflux should, generally, be on one of these medications.

omeprazole (Prilosec)

lansoprazole (Prevacid)

esomeprazole (Nexium)

pantoprazole (Protonix)

rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications may be helpful in some patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

amitriptyline (Elavil)

Triavil

Anti-diarrheal medicationsShould be used sparingly. Any use beyond the package recommendations should be discussed with a doctor.

Loperamide (Immodium)

diphenoxylate + atropine (Lomotil)

cholestyramine

Donnatol

attapulgite (Kaopectate)

Antiemetics (anti-nausea medications)

prochlorperazine (Compazine)

promethazine (Phenergan)

metoclopramide (Reglan)

trimethobenzamide (Tigan)

ondansetron (Zofran)

granisetron (Kytril)

Fiber SupplementsProvide bulk to the stool.
They can be used to treat both constipation and diarrhea and may be helpful in many gastrointestinal problems.

psyllium (Metamucil)

methylcellulose (Citrucel)

polycarbophil (Fibercon)

Laxatives

bisacodyl (Dulcolax, Correctol)

cascara

castor oil

Docusate (Colace) a stool softener

CoLyte

GoLytely

lactulose

magnesium citrate

Miralax

Milk of Magnesia

senna

sodium phosphate

Visicol (tablet form of sodium phosphate)

Suggested Reading

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Guide for Patients and Their Families

A current and easy-to-read resource. This is a good overview of IBD with chapters on pregnancy, alternative medicine, and IBD in children and adolescents.

What? No Wheat?A Lighthearted Primer to Living the Gluten-Free Wheat-Free Life
by LynnRae Ries

Published by the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) (see links), this book provides a good overview of celiac disease using humor to dispel your anxieties.